Coach Jeff Cook said he believes the incoming class has a promising future.
"We worked very hard to put together this group of guys," Cook said. "I think we have a nice blend of experience coming in. The recruits have achieved a lot on the individual level, but they also have big shoes to fill."
Cleveland, from Dayton, Ohio, is a talented goalkeeper who will work with returning goalies Noah Cohen '14 and Sean Donovan '13 to strengthen his game. Cleveland attended Miami Valley High School, where he was a three-time first team All-Area and All-District selection.
Gorini, who hails from Incisa Valdarno, Italy, will add a spark to the Big Green offense and balance the team's attack. Gorini played soccer at Istituto Dante Alighieri before moving to the Unitd States, where he played for Kimball Union Academy in Vermont, the alma mater of 2011 Ivy League Player of the Year Lucky Mkosana '12.
Orr was a two-time All-Region and All-Conference selection from Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, N.C., and he captained his team to the third round of the state tournament.
Rosen, ranked No. 11 in the Northeast region by TopDrawerSoccer.com in 2011, had an extremely successful career at the Hopkins School in New Haven, Conn. and is able to play multiple positions on the field.
Soko, a native of Zimbabwe like Mkosana, has represented his country at the U-17 and U-21 level. Soko spent the last two years playing for the Brooks School in North Andover, Mass. and is known for his athleticism and his abilities as a team-oriented player.
The team's final recruit, Stray-Gundersen, came to Dartmouth late in the recruiting process, but the 6'0", 165-pound Texan is a proven winner, having led Prince of Peace High School to three state championships.
Co-captain Teo Larsson-Sax '13 said one of his jobs will be to welcome the incoming class to the team.
"Obviously our ultimate responsibility is to help the newcomers feel welcome and adjust to college," Larsson-Sax said. "We have had no problems before with welcoming new teammates we are usually very tight-knit."
Co-captain Kevin Dzierzawski '13 said that past recruiting classes have adjusted well to the team at Dartmouth but that there are always some obstacles.
"For recruits, it's always an adapting process," Dzierzawski said. "The upperclassmen are here to guide them and help them keep a steady head during preseason. The previous incoming classes have all become great friends with each other."
Dzierzawski said that there are both advantages and disadvantages for new members of the soccer team.
"Fortunately, we start school late, so the newcomers have almost an entire month before classes start, which is nice," Dzierzawski said. "But when classes start, it's a big load having to perform on the field and in the classroom their first term on campus."
Larsson-Sax, who is from Sweden, was in a similar position to the team's new international recruits, Gorini and Soko, though both the incoming freshman played at American high schools before coming to Dartmouth.
"For me, the first essay I ever wrote in English was applying for Dartmouth and taking [the SAT]," Larsson-Sax said. "It takes time adjusting to the cultural aspects, but preseason definitely helped. I got to know all the guys before school started and they were able to help me out."
The Big Green will graduate eight seniors this year, including former captains Mkosana and Nick Pappas '12. Larsson-Sax said that the team will have to make up for these losses in the coming season.
"We're definitely losing a lot of talent, and some players who have been very key for us," Larsson-Sax said. "But I think we have a strong group underneath who had to sit because of the players above them. I think this spring shows how good they are, and I think they're ready to take over. We have big shoes to fill."
Dzierzawski also said he is looking for the younger players to play a big role in the upcoming season, especially because there will be fewer upperclassmen on the team.
"The previous year, we lost nine seniors who played big roles for us, so this isn't something new," Dzierzawski said. "This is a good opportunity for our younger guys to step up. The incoming freshmen and sophomores make up a large part of the team there aren't many upperclassmen, so we definitely are looking for their help, and I don't think that will be a problem."
This spring, the Big Green has competed in three games, which have included matches against the Haitian national team and the Cape Verde Select Team from Massachusetts. The players have also been working out off the field and trying new positions.
"Right now we have captain's practices Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the afternoon and lifts on Tuesdays and Thursdays," Larsson-Sax said. "With soccer, the spring is really what you make it. Players work one on one, in groups or with some of the coaching staff. Some players practice five to seven days a week."
Over the summer, Big Green soccer players will be scattered, either playing soccer or working. Dzierzawski, who will be playing soccer in Chicago this summer, said that Dartmouth players are unique compared to most other schools.
"Going to an Ivy League school, our priorities are usually different than teams in the Big 10 and SEC," Dzierzawski said. "The rising juniors will be on campus in the summer, and the rising sophomores and seniors are kind of on their own. But we will all try to play as much soccer as possible."
Even though the season is several months away, Larsson-Sax said that the Big Green already has specific goals for the upcoming fall.
"Last year we won the Ivies, and we've been to the NCAAs all three years I've been here," Larsson-Sax said. "But the goal is to improve from last year and hopefully win the Ivies again. We also really want to make it farther in the NCAA Tournament this year."
